THE PAST WILL CONNECT THEM. THE PASSION WILL POSSESS THEM.

Two scholars, one American (Aaron Eckhart) and one British (Gwyneth Paltrow), reluctantly work together to learn about the hitherto unknown affair between two famous 19th century poets in England. The critically lauded novel becomes a challenge for Neil LaBute who juggles two stories; the tragic romance between the poets and the tentative one between the scholars. Both of them are reasonably engaging, which is an achievement in itself, but the extraordinary emotions involved rarely transcend, and Paltrow’s character is too annoying. The final sequence is a good way to end things, though.

2002-U.S. 119 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Neil LaBute. Novel: A.S. Byatt. Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow (Maud Bailey), Aaron Eckhart (Roland Michell), Jeremy Northam (Randolph Henry Ash), Jennifer Ehle (Christabel LaMotte), Trevor Eve, Toby Stephens… Lena Headey.

Trivia: Co-produced by Barry Levinson.

IMDb